Plant chopper or cutter.



PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904.

J. W. ARTHUR.

PLANT SHOPPER OR CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1. 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

NO MODEL.

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4 SHBETSHSHEBT 2.

PATENTED A J. W. ARTHUR.

PLANT SHOPPER OR GUTTER..

MPLIGATION FILED APR.1,1903.

No MODEL.

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PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904.

J. W. ARTHUR.

PLANT CHOPPER 0B. GUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.1. 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3,

N0 MODEL.

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@Hotmail x 1. Q91 1 Hawes PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904.

J. W. ARTHUR.

PLANT CHOPPER 0R CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.1, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No. 766,315'. y Patented August 2., 1904.

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

JAMES lV. ARTHUR, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIHNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ALBERT LEVIN, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

PLANT CHOPPER OR CUTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming pal-tof Letters Patent No. 766,315, dated August 2, 1904.

Application led April l, 1903. Serial No. 150,630. (No model.

T 0U "f/lU/l' ff 'H1/fl!! @0M/'WM l matically be disengaged when the forward Be it known that l, JAMES lV. Airtrmn, a revolution is reversed, so that in turning the citizen of the United States, residing at l)enmachine around the outer wheel will proceed ver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of in its revolution uninterrupted, while the 5 Colorado, have invented new and useful lminner wheel will be free from its engagement provenients in Plant Choppers or Cutters, of with the axle and stand approximately still. which the following is a specification. lo etfect this ditlerential relation of the wheels 55 My invention has relation to improvements while the machine is being turned around, the

in plant-topping machines, Vand is chiefly dewheels are formed with a circular channel or 1o signed for use in blocking out the rows of chamber 2, (see Fig. 2,) having its outer wall beet-plants, so that the remaining plants will formed with ratchet-teeth, and close the cham stand at certain and determined distances ber with a disk 3, the hub of which is mounted apart and the work of thinningl down the on the axle and rigidly secured thereto by a uncut plants will be greatly expedited. linchpin 4, passed through the axle and hub.

I5 'hile theinvention as shown and described l To the inner face of the disk 3 are hung a` is particularly adapted for chopping ott the requisite number of pawls the free ends of growing tops of beet-plants, it is apparent which engage the ratchet-teeth in the wall of that it is equally useful in thinning out simithe chamber 2 in the forward movement of larly-growing crops, such as parsnips, carrots, the machine. '.lhe pawls are held in engagezo and turnips. ment by springs 6, substantially as shown.

The invention consists in the construction -The disk 23, being secured to the axle, as stated, and arrangement of parts which will be more keeps the wheel from outward movement on fully hereinafter set forth. the axle, while its inner displacement is prel have fully and clearly illustrated the imvented by a collar T, rigidly secured on the axle 25 provements in the annexed drawings, formand formed with an annular end flange which ing a part of this specification, and whereinMAM l overhangs the inner end of the wheel-hub and Figure l isa top plan view of the machine, serves to prevent the displacement of the hub the rear rail of the frame being broken away i in that direction and to keep the dust from to show the connection of the sprocket-frame i reaching the spindles.

3o to the casting on the driving-axle. Fig. 2 is rlhe ends of the axle project beyond the a plan view, partly in horizontal section. i outer ends of the disk-hubs, the projecting Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the machine. ends being reduced, as indicated at 8 in Fig. 8O

Fig. -lc is a side elevation of the machine. Fig. 4, and thereon are mounted frames or brackis a longitudinal section taken on the line i ets, duplicates in form and construction and 35 of Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing consisting of bearing-pieces 9, which constithe connections of the rear sprocket-frame tute the supports for the frames. From the and the swinging bars to the hangers or bracky reai'end of the supports t) rise vertical stand- S5 ets on the axle. l ards 10, which at their upper ends are extend- In the drawings similar parts appearing in l ed in horizontal direction a desired and deter- 40 the several illustrations are designated by like mined distance, as at l1. From the forward reference characters. ends of the supports 9 extend upwardly-di- Referring to the drawings, A A designate rected braeerods or bars li.to the upper ends the driving-wheels, carrying the axle l, which ot' which are secured or made integral thereconstitutes the driving means for the mechanwith rearwardly-extending horizontal bars or 45 isms to be hereinafter described. The wheels plates 13, disposed below and inalinement have their hubs loosely mounted on the axle, with the bars ll. Between the bars 1l and but are held rigid therewith in the forward l 13 at the rear ends are secured the ends of 95 movement by any means which w1ll auto-l the rear cross rail or sill la, and at the front Vss between said bars are secured the ends of theA front crossrail 15. The frame is braced additionally by brace-rods 16 17, running from the middle of the cross-rail V14 to the corner intersections of the end frames and the front rail 15. The shafts or thills 18 have their rear portions secured to the rails 14 and 15 substantially as indicated in the drawings. It will be readily perceived that instead of shafts a tongue may be used, so that two animals instead of one will constitute the power, and for the purpose of connecting the power a swingletree, or two of them, can be hung to the front rail in any well-known manner. 19 designates the driving-sprocket, having its hub slidably mounted on the axle l and held .rigid with .the axle by means of a spline or rib 20` engaging detachably with a coincident groove cut in the inner face of the hub. The hub is formed at one end with an annular channel 21, which is engaged by the forked end or collar 22 of a lever 23, fulcrumed to the rear sprocket-carrying frame on a vertical support a, so as to have a lateral swing on the support, the lever being extended. rearward, as shown, to be conveniently manipulated from the rear end of the machine, so as to lock the lever in either position of holding the hub in engagement with the spline or holding it free and loose on the axle.

Because the chopping or blocking mechanism for topping the plants extends well to the rear of the supporting or driving axle, it is necessary that suitable means be provided to sustain and counterbalance this weight and cause the weeders and rotatable choppers to cut evenly and to a proper depth. I accomplish this desired condition by the followingdescribed constructions andelements or mechanism: On the driving-axle are pivotally hung bracket-castings 25, held against lateral displacement by collars, as sho wn. These bracketsare formed-with perforated ears at their front and sides (see Fig. 6) to receivethe ends of the swinging bars and the bars of the rear sprocket-frame, as hereinafter specified. At the upper ends of the brackets 25 are formed rearwardly-extending arms 26, terminating in hooked ends 27, wherein is engaged the ends of contractile suspension-springs 28, the other ends of which are connected to the hooked ends of longitudinally-adjustable bars 29, slidabl'y y arranged in the stems of Y-brackets 30,A seto the brackets, of which they form a part to the associated mechanism, the dead-weight of the Vblocking and weeding mechanism is relieved or counterbalanced. To the inner hinge-ears of the castings 25 are pivotally bolted the bars n of the rear sprocket-frame. (See Fig. 6.) These frame-bars consist of strong upper and lower bars converging toward each other from their connections to the castings 25, as shown, and have their rear end portions, as 31, directed parallel with each. other and formed with. alining boxhousings 32, wherein are disposed boxes 33, between which and the inner endsy of the boxhousings are placed buffer-springs 34, which act to press the boxes always in proper position and at the same time permit them to have a limited yielding movement in the housings toward the axle to compensate for any forward yield of the rear sprocket-wheel shaft caused by the pull of the sprocket-chain. The arms or bars 30a at the commencement of the parallel extensions 31 are connected by across-piece 35, and the upper and lower bars of the box-housings at the rear ends have end pieces 36 strongly but removably secured thereto, against which the boxes 33 normally stand. In the boxes 33 are formed bearing-apertures wherein is journaled a sleeve 37 formed with a central square passage 38, extending lengthwise therethrough to receive the square shaft 39. On the sleeve 37, at the middle thereof, is mounted the rear sprocketwheel 40, or this wheel may be made integral with the sleeve. On the sprocket-wheel 40 is arranged the driving-chain 41, which is carried about the driving-sprocket 19, as shown.

42 designates a rectangular metal frame, made preferably of T-iron, arranged with the stem of the T turned inward, as shown, which frame carries the plows or blades constituting the weeders and the revolving choppers or blockers and the mechanism for actuating the latter. To the front rail of this frame at a determined distance apart are mounted and firmly secured two casings or housings 43, made in two parts secured together in any suitable manner and having lateral extensions 44, the whole casing ybeing formedl and designed to take in, cover, and protect the miter or bevelgears working therein. The main and forwardly-extending sections or parts of these housings are formed with alining bearings wherein are arranged bearing-collars 45, secured and held against outward displacement by fastenings, as pins 46, projected through the square shaft, which is extended through the bearing-collars, as shown. On the square shaft 39, within the housings lbetween the bearing-collars, are mounted the bevel gear-wheels 47. (See Fig. 3.)

48 designates round bearing-shafts arranged across theV rectangular .frame 42 and held in xedV position .byhaving one. end

IOO

IIO

passed through the rear rail ot' the trame and clamped by a nut on the projecting' end and the other end passed through the lateral extension of the housings and rigidly held in the front wall of the housing by any suitable means. On the fixed shafts 48 are revolubly mounted the bevel-g'ears 49 within the lateral extensions oi' the housings and in mesh with the bevel-gears 47. The hubs of the bevelgears 49 are elongated into sleeves 50, which are formed with radial arms 51, having' edg'e anges, as indicated in the drawings, and in the seats or channels thus formed in the radial arms are disposed and secured the stems 52 of the blocker or chopping blades or knives 5 rlhe cutting-blades oi' the choppers are made ot' such length as to cut out a block of the plants and leave the standing plants` at the desired distances apart. The cuttingblades ot' the choppers are arranged to stand at about right angles to their stems, and, as indicated in the drawings, they cut through and across the rows of standing plants at stated intervals and distances on planes parallel with the surface. To the rear rail of the rectangular frame 42 at determined distances apart are secured ears 54, provided with cross-bolts, as shown, and between these ears are adjustably arranged the vertical standards 55, which for the purposes of vertical adjustment are formed with vertical slots 56, which take on the cross-bolts in the ears 54, so that when the bolts are clamped up the standards will be held in the position to which they have been adjusted. To the lower ends of the standards are suitably secured the weeding blades or plows, consisting' otl angularly-shaped blades 5T, disposed to lie iat on the surface with their front cutting edges at a shearing ang'le and at their inner ends are turned up vertically, as at 58, thus shielding the plants from being' knocked down by the progress of the machine.

It will be perceived by reference to the illuustrations that the weeders are arranged to straddlc the rows of plants and that the inner set are designed to cut clear across between rows.

On the front ends of the housings 43 are formed ears 59, to which one end of bars are pivotally bolted, the other ends being' similarly connected to the casting's Q5, substantially as shown, and to make the bars 60 move synchronously their rear ends are connected by a cross-rod 6l, held in position by the same bolts which secure the rods to the ears 59.

At the proper positions on the rectangular l braced against outwarddisplacement by means ot' brace-pieces 64, having' their lower ends secured to the end pieces ofthe rectangular frame and their upper ends secured to the middle of the bridge or arch ot' the frames, as shown.

At the middle of the bridge pieces are formed short vertical extensions 65, having screw-threaded stems 66, which take through slots 6T in the handle -bars or braces 68. These handle-bars 68 consist of metal rods or bars having their forward ends secured to the bars 30 and thence rising at an incline and are formed with a horizontal portion 69, lying fiat on the extension 65, with the threaded stem projecting' through the slot 67 and clamped fastby nuts on said stems. Secured to the rear end ot' the handle-bars or formed integ'ral therewith are alining' sector-shaped plates TO, provided with a series of pinholes 71, the lower ends of the handles 72 being placed between said plates TO and held against inward movement by a bar T3, having' its ends termed with eyes through which staples or eyes engage, as shown. This bar 73, with the limited movement of its loose staple connections, provides a limited lateral movement or each handle, as indicated in the drawings. The handles are pivotally supported in this manner vin the sector-plates and may be adjusted by means of pins passed through the sector-plate and the handles, so that the handles may be adjusted in height at their rear ends by means of the pins being' passed th rough the proper pinhole in the sector-plate, as indicated in Figs. 1, 4, and 5 ot' the drawings. To provide means whereby the whole chopping' mechanism nray be carried in elevated tilted condition, as may be required, I fasten to the inner face of the cross-rail 14 a plate to one end ot' which is pivotally hung a latch c, and to the other end of the plate b is pivotally secured an angular latch-bar (I, the tree end of which is adapted to lodge in and rest on the lower end of the catch c, substantially as shown in the drawings. It will readily be perceived that when the latch is opened the machine may be tilted forward until the bars 68 enter between the latch members and that then the latch may be engaged with the catch and the chopping mechanism will be held free from the ground.

ihe utilization of the machine and the mode ot' operation are apparent. The progression of the wheels communicates rotation to the revoluble elements to accomplish the objects, and the action of the weeders is a sequence of the progression.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new isd l. In a plant-topping machine, the combination with the driving axle and frame and topping mechanism, of brackets pivotally hung on the axle and formed with rear- The frames are i wardly-extending arms, tension-springs con- IOO IIO

nected to the arms, bars secured to the other ends of the springs and'engaging brackets mounted on the frame and means for adjusting the bars with relation to the brackets.

2. In a plant-topping machine, the combination with the axle and the frame carried thereon and topping mechanism, of brackets pivotally hung on the axle and formed with rearwardly extending arms, the chopping mechanism being connected to the brackets, tension-springs having one end connected to the arms, bars secured to the other ends of the springs and slidingly disposed in brackets mounted on the frame, and fastening-pins to hold the bars in adjusted position.

3. In a plant-topping machine, the combination with the driving-axle, the frame carried thereon, and the blocking mechanism, of brackets pivotally hung on the axle and formed with rearwardly projecting arms, tensionsprings having one end connected to the said arms, s-lidable bars having one end connected 'to the springs and formed with handles to draw the bars lengthwise, keepers through which the bars are slidably arranged, and pins projected through the keepers and bars to hold the bars in adjusted position.

4. In combination with the carrying-wheels and the axle turned thereby, of brackets pivotally hung on the axle, bars pivotally connected to the brackets, housings pivotally connectedto the rear ends of said bars, a sprocketcarrying frame, a square shaft projected through the sprocket-carrying frame, and the housings and provided with bearings therein,

bevel gear-Wheels on Ythe square shaft Within thel housings, a rectangular frame at the rear of the housings, fixed shafts mounted across the frame, bevel pinions loosely journaled on the fixed shafts and having their'hubs extended approximately the length thereof and formedv with radial arms, blocker-knives secured to the radial arms, a sprocket-wheel on the square shaft in the sprocket carrying frame, a sprocket-wheel on the driving-axle, and a chain on the sprockets.

5. A plant-topping machine, comprising carrying-wheels, an axle carried and turned thereby, brackets hung on the axle, bars pivotally connected to the brackets, housings pivotally connected to the rear ends of said bars, a sprocket-carrying frame comprising converging bars having their front ends connected to said brackets and their rear ends extended parallel with each other, bearings in the sprocket-frame, and the housings, bevel gear-wheels in the housings, a sprocket-wheel carried by the sprocket-frame, a shaft projected through and made fast in the said bearings, a frame at the rear of the housings and secured thereto, fixed shafts mounted across the frame, bevel-pinions loosely journaled on the fixed shafts and having their hubs extend ed for the length thereof and formed with radial arms, blocker-knives secured to the radial arms, pairs of weeding-blades secured to the rear bar of the said frame arranged to straddle the rows of plants,A a sprocket-wheel on the driving-shaft within thesprocket-carrying frame, a sprocket-wheel on. the axle, and a chain on the sprockets.`

6. The combination with the driving-axle, of a frame, a longitudinally-movable boxing on the frame, means to force said boxing in one direction, a counter-shaft journaled in the boxing, a chopper mechanism pivoted to the axle, means to, dri-ve the shaft from the axle and means to drive the said mechanism from the counter-shaft.

7. The combination withy the axle, the frame, the chopper mechanism, andv means for adjusting the height of said mechanism, of handle-bars pivoted to the 4axle and connected to said mechanism, handles pivoted to said bars, and means for adjusting the handles with relation to said mechanism.

8. The combination with the axle, of a frame, comprising oppositely-arranged members formed with alining box-housings, boxings longitudinally movablein said housings, springs to forcethe boxings in one direction,` a counter-shaftjournaled in the boxings, chopper mechanism pivoted to the axle, means to lrevolve the shaft from the axle and meansfor operating said mechanism from the counter` shaft.

9. In a plant-topping machine, the combil nation with the axle of a rectangular frame pivoted for vertical and horizontal movement, choppers on the frame, vertical frames arranged on the frame at the ends thereof, braces connecting the said frames, and vertically-adjustable handles at the upper portions of the vertical frames. 1

10. In a plant-topping machine, the combination with the axle, of a frame, a boxing longitudinally movable in the frame, means to force the boxing in one direction, a countershaft journaled in the boxing at a point intermediate its ends and carrying gears. at its opposite ends, a frame carrying shafts each of which is provided with a gear meshing with the gears on the ends of the shaft respectively, plant-choppers carried by the shafts on the frame and means to drive the counter-shaft from the axle. i

ll. In a plant-topping machine, the combination with the axle, of a frame, a boxing longitudinally movableyieldingly mounted on the frame, a counter-shaft journaled in the boxing at a point intermediate its ends, said shaft being parallel to the axle, and having gears on its opposite ends, and choppers journaled on the frame and driven by said gears.

12. In a plant-topping machine, the combination with the axle of a rectangular frame pivoted for horizontal and vertical movement,

gear-casings mounted on the frame, a countershaft journaled in the casings and 'parallel to the axle, shafts within the frame carrying IOO IIO

chopping' means extending longitudinally of In testimony whereof I aliix mysignatule in the frame and liavmg one end Joui'naled Withpresence of two witnesses.

in the casing, gearing for transmitting Ino- ,v m f M tion Yfrom the axle to the counter-Shaft and JANE@ u AR'LHUR" gearing within the casings for transmitting lVitnesSes:

motion from the counter-shaft to the shafts JOHN M. CLAY,

ALBERT NEUMAN.

for the chopping' means. 

